mirage

Where does the word "mirage" come from? It comes from French se mirer, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Mirage’s story begins in French: se mirer meant “to be reflected, to look at.” To be reflected, from Latin mirari (to look at, wonder at). It reached English by 1800s as mirage. Settled as the word for an optical illusion caused by heat and light. Today, mirage means an optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, or an unrealistic hope.

1. Stage 1 · French · 1700s se mirer "to be reflected, to look at", to be reflected, from Latin mirari (to look at, wonder at).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s mirage "an optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions", settled as the word for an optical illusion caused by heat and light.